Mechanically linking is heavier than fbw/electrical/fiber optic linking, and what's the point if there's no mechanical linkage to the control surfaces?
With the fbw system, the software makes the choice on how to interpret the control movement, use one or both? If one, which one?
EDIT: Maybe you mean that a mechanical linkage would provide a feedback mechanism, so that one pilot would know if the other pilot was attempting an input? I don't know if there's force feedback on Airbus flight controls.
> what's the point if there's no mechanical linkage to the control surfaces?
In this case, the pilot would have realized the junior copilot was issuing control inputs and (likely) prevented a plane from crashing, saving the lives of all aboard.
Seems like a pretty decent point to me.
> EDIT: Maybe you mean that a mechanical linkage would provide a feedback mechanism, so that one pilot would know if the other pilot was attempting an input? I don't know if there's force feedback on Airbus flight controls.
Yes, that's what I meant. And no, there isn't. At least, not one that would indicate conflicting inputs from the other pilot.
With the fbw system, the software makes the choice on how to interpret the control movement, use one or both? If one, which one?
EDIT: Maybe you mean that a mechanical linkage would provide a feedback mechanism, so that one pilot would know if the other pilot was attempting an input? I don't know if there's force feedback on Airbus flight controls.